Court Interpreter (Spanish)

Job Description

The essential function of the Court Interpreter (Spanish) position within the organization is to interpret legal proceedings for non-English speaking or hearing-impaired persons to ensure due process. The position is responsible for interpreting the spoken or written word from a source language to a target language, translating court evidence to a target language, testifying as an expert witness regarding accuracy of translated documents or tapes, and collecting statistical data. The position works under direct supervision according to set procedures.

• Listens to a speaker’s statements during regular court proceedings, either in person or via remote video or telephone; prepares interpretations or interprets statements simultaneously or consecutively into specified languages, orally or by using hand signs.
• Translates documents and recorded materials presented in court from a source language to a target language.
• Provides interpreting services for court appointed psychological evaluations and competency evaluations.
• Maintains message content, context, and style as much as possible during interpreting process.
• Testifies as expert witness regarding accuracy of documents translated for court proceedings.
• Collects and inputs data for statistical purposes concerning the number and type of interpreting tasks performed.
• Remains current in reference information resources, such as vocabulary in legal, medical, and other areas, different cultural features, or local and world events.
• Assists with miscellaneous tasks such as on-the-job training for interns as directed by supervisor.
• Attends and / or conducts staff and other professional meetings and conferences to exchange information.
• Attends technical or professional seminars or conferences to improve professional skills.

Education and Training Guidelines

Education : Refers to job specific training and education that is recommended for entry into the position.

Additional relevant experience may substitute for the recommended educational level on a year-for-year basis.

Bachelor’s degree in English, the source language, or a closely related field.

Experience : Refers to the amount of related work experience that is recommended for entry into the position that would result in reasonable expectation that the person can perform the required tasks.

Additional relevant education may substitute for the recommended experience on a year-for-year basis, excluding supervisory experience.

Two years of court / legal related work experience.

Certification, License, and Special Requirements : Refers to professional, state, or federal licenses, certifications, or registrations required / desired to enter the position.

Requires valid certificate as a Certified Court Interpreter issued by the Florida Supreme Court, Office of the State Courts Administrator.

Applicants who are selected as court interpreters, but who are not certified at the time of court employment, must become certified within one year of being employed in a court interpreting position.

The one-year requirement may be modified by the board on a case-by-case basis, if necessary; but, only in exceptional circumstances.

See Fla. R. Court. Interp. 14.205(c).

Special Comments

Open Until Filled; applications will be accepted until position is filled.

The Florida State Courts System offers a comprehensive selection of State of Florida employee benefits : membership in the Florida Retirement System, optional enrollment in a subsidized Health insurance plan, optional enrollment in Life, Dental, and Disability insurance plans, and paid $25,000 term life insurance.

The Florida State Courts System is a criminal justice agency. The successful applicant will be fingerprinted for the purpose of conducting a criminal history record check. Employment in this position is contingent upon a satisfactory criminal background check.

In accordance with Section 110.205(2)(c), Florida Statutes, positions with the Florida State Courts System (judicial branch) are not covered under the Career Service System.